Hong Kong health officials recorded two cases of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus in early August 2015. The first case was recorded on August 3 involving an 85-year-old man with underlying illness. He was noted to have fever during a routine follow-up for his underlying illness at a public hospital on July 30 and was admitted on the same day.

Vibrio vulnificus/CDC

He was found to have left middle finger swelling upon admission. Excisional debridement was performed on August 1 and 2.The operative diagnosis was necrotizing fasciitis. He was treated with antibiotics and his condition was serious. His blood specimen collected on July 30 grew Vibrio vulnificus. He had history of fish sting to his left middle finger while visiting a wet market on July 27. His home contact was asymptomatic.

The second case was recorded on August 7.The patient was a 68-year-old man with underlying illnesses. He presented with fever and left ankle painful swelling on July 31 and was admitted to a public hospital on the same day. Excisional debridement was performed on July 31 with an operative diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis.

The fascial tissue and wound swab taken during operation on July 31 grew Vibrio vulnificus. He was treated with antibiotics and his condition was stable. Investigations revealed that he had visited wet market daily before onset and he did not recall any previous injury. His home contacts were asymptomatic.